Loss Meme: A Comic Catastrophe That Became a Meme Masterpiece

In the vast realm of internet memes, there exists a peculiar phenomenon known as “Loss.” Like a black hole of mockery and humor, it emerged from the depths of the video game-themed webcomic series Ctrl+Alt+Del and captivated the online community with its unexpected drama and subsequent notoriety. Let us delve into the enigmatic origins, the spread of parodies, and the enduring legacy of Loss, a comic strip also referred to as CADbortion, Loss.jpg, or the intriguingly enigmatic “| || || |_”.

A Tremor in the Webcomic Universe

On a fateful day, June 2nd, 2008, the creator of Ctrl+Alt+Del, Tim Buckley, released a strip that sent shockwaves through the hearts of its readers. Titled “Loss,” it veered sharply from the comic’s usual comedic tone, immersing the female lead, Lilah, in the distressing turmoil of a miscarriage. The abrupt shift in subject matter caught many off guard, and the execution of the dramatic narrative failed to resonate with the audience, leading to widespread mockery and derision.

The Birth of Ridicule

As if awakened by a collective sense of mischief, the internet’s creative denizens promptly seized upon the opportunity to parody the ill-fated comic strip. Notable webcomics like HijiNKS Ensue, Cyanide and Happiness, Bigger than Cheeses, and many others joined the mockery parade, playfully imitating the final panel of Loss. Even influential online personalities such as Ben ‘Yahtzee’ Croshaw and Shmorky from Something Awful’s Flash Tub couldn’t resist taking a jab at the comic. The /v/ board on 4chan became a hotbed of parodies, prompting moderators to crack down on “Loss” threads.

The Expanding Universe of Mockery

With the winds of ridicule blowing strong, Something Awful users went above and beyond in their unkind treatment of the comic. They birthed mock threads of epic proportions, stretching to a whopping 350 pages. Not content with this, they crafted two entire wikis and even an interactive graph, dedicated solely to dissecting the infamous comic. A passionate soul even developed a random CAD comic generator, showcasing that even haphazardly arranged panels held more comedic value than the original.

Symphony of Satire

The jesting didn’t stop at the confines of the webcomic realm. YouTube user KennylovesArin assembled a musical tribute to Loss, enlisting friends Skraggy and Arin (the renowned animator Egoraptor) to lend their talents. Their lyrical prowess paid homage to the miscarriage strip, cementing its status as a meme worthy of musical reverence.

Minimalistic Mastery

As the internet is wont to do, it birthed a new trend on /v/—the minimalist interpretation of Loss. These ingenious edits stripped the characters down to mere lines, dots, or four empty panels. The visual simplicity captured the essence of the comic’s derided format. It became an emblematic style, where any similar four-panel arrangement was instantly recognized as a “Loss” parody. And so, the question “Is This Loss?” became a meme in its own right, spreading like wildfire through the labyrinthine corridors of the internet.

The Meme That Refused to Fade

The memes of Loss, like a pesky rash, persisted and proliferated over the following decade. Their ubiquity grew to such an extent that one could scarcely discern a legitimate four-panel image from a Loss parody. Such was the power of this meme that news organizations took notice. In 2015, Select All interviewed Tim Buckley about the comic’s impact, revealing his mixed feelings of frustration and amusement at the meme’s endurance. KnowYourMeme dedicated an article to Loss, bestowing upon it the prestigious title of “The Internet’s Greatest Meme.”

A Meta Moment

On the auspicious occasion of the strip’s ten-year anniversary, on June 2nd, 2018, Tim Buckley momentarily altered the page to present a parody of his own creation. Breaking the fourth wall, the comic’s main character confronted the enduring legacy of Loss, showcasing the creator’s self-awareness and sense of humor. This whimsical twist triggered a wave of articles across various publications, including Polygon and io9, which dissected the strip’s profound impact while reveling in its satirical evolution.

Loss, Forever Immortalized in Meme History

And so, Loss stands as a testament to the unpredictable nature of the internet’s collective wit and irreverence. From its humble origins as a dramatic misstep in Ctrl+Alt+Del to becoming a beloved and oft-parodied meme, it has left an indelible mark on meme culture. Loss reminds us that even in the face of unexpected twists and turns, humor will find a way to prevail. Its legacy will continue to inspire laughter, parody, and perhaps even the occasional tear, for years to come.